Compression band

ABSTRACT

A compression band which includes a perforated band adapted to be tightened over a hoselike object by means of a closure mechanism consisting of two closure parts movable relative to one another; one end of the band is looped around one of the two closure parts while the other end of the band is threaded through openings formed in the two closure parts and is held in position by the engagement of hooks at the other closure part engaging in the perforation apertures, the closure mechanism is then tightened by means of a machine screw or the like.

O United States Patent 13,579,754

[72] In ent Halls oefikel' 2,290,960 7/1942 Hallerberg 24/279 O rd r s s 1 H -g n, Switzerland 2,359,418 10/1944 Hartman 24/28lX [2!] Appl- 84 2,934,805 5/ l960 Zartler 24/279 gai Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney-Craig, Antonelli, Stewart & Hill 54 COMPR ION BAND 1 26 c|aimgs7snrawing Figs. ABSTRACT: A compression band which includes a perforated band adapted to be tightened over a hoselike object by U48- means of a closure mechanism consisting of two closure parts 1 f Cl 365d 63/00. movable relative to one another; one end of the band is looped of Search around one of the two closure part5 while the other end of the band is threaded through openings formed in the two closure parts and is held in position by the engagement of hooks at the [56] Reterenm and other closure part engaging in the perforation apertures, the

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,956,107 4/1934 SuchterQ closure mechanism is then tightened by means of a machine screw or the like.

PATENTEU HAY25 IQTI FIG HANS OETIKER ATTORNEYS COMPRESSION BAND The present invention relates to a compression band, and more particularly to a closure mechanism for tightening a perforated band about a hose or the like.

Various types of compression bands as well as various types of hose clamps are known in the art. The main difficulties encountered with the prior-art compression bands and hose clamps, however, reside in the antagonistic requirements to provide compression bands adapted to fit any size of object and to minimize the costs and need for stocking a large number ofparts.

In my prior US. Pat. No. 2,847,742, a ladder-type clamp is described in which a perforated steel band is used which is contracted by means of a separate clamping element provided with an outwardly extending fold adapted to be contracted. While this type of construction permitted the use of a single perforated band, to be cut to the desired length from reel-type stock, it entailed certain limitations as regards versatility of its application since the perforations, for reasons of strength and economy, have to be spaced apart a certain distance and the contraction of a fold, provided for a tight clamping action, offered only a relatively narrow range as to the sizes of the object.

The present invention seeks to obviate the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art and aims at a compression band with a closure mechanism that is simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and offering a wide versatility in the use of the clamp, especially as to the size of the object to be clamped.

The present invention essentially consists in connecting a perforated band of the type described in my aforementioned prior patent by an infinitely or continuously adjustable closure mechanism which is tightened by a simple machine screw. Since the tightening screw can be made of any desired length, the clamp in accordance with the present invention can be adjusted continuously and can thus be used with an object of practically any desired size, it being merely necessary to cut the perforated band to the approximately correct length.

The closure mechanism itself is constructed in a simple manner of two parts which can be readily stamped out from appropriate sheet metal plates and formed into the appropriate shape by a few simple operations.

To that end, the two parts, originally stamped out from flat plate material are each provided with two spaced sidewall portions, suitably apertured to receive a spacer element conventionally secured in these apertures. Each part further includes a first, tonguelike portion adapted to overlap one another for the mutual guidance of the two parts relative to one another as well as a circumferentially projecting second portion, opposite the tonguelike first portion, which is provided in one part with hooks appropriately punched out from the material and in the other part, with a slot through which one end of the band can be inserted.

The perforated band may also be subdivided into two or more sections connected with each other by a simple, elastic connecting means which imparts to the compression band a certain self-adjusting elasticity, needed in certain applications, for example, in case of rapidly fluctuating pressures, to compensate for aging in the hose material, etc.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compression band which avoids by simple means the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention resides in a compression band which can be used with objects of any size.

A further object of the present invention resides in a compression band and closure mechanism which is.simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and requires the stocking of relatively few parts for all sizes of its applicatrons.

Still another object of the present invention resides in a hose clamp utilizing a perforated, ladder-type band which permits objects, such as hoses of an infinite number of sizes to be clamped and tightened onto nipples or the like.

These and further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, two embodiments in accordance with the present invention and wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a compression band in accordance with the present invention for tightening a plastic hose onto a steel nipple or the like.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the closure mechanism in accordance with the present invention in its assembled conditron.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view on the closure mechanism of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the two closure parts of the closure mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the other of the two closure parts of the closure mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view showing an elastic connection between subdivided sections of the perforated band in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic perspective view illustrating the connection of the subdivided sections of FIG. 6 in the assembled condition thereof.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like references numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts and more particularly to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates therein an object such as a plastic hose or the like which is intended to be tightly clamped over a fixed metallic part generally designated by reference numeral 11 which may be, for example, a nipple or pipe. A perforated band generally designated by reference numeral 20 includes a plurality of approximately rectangular apertures 21 and may be of the type disclosed in my aforementioned patent. As disclosed in this patent, the perforated band of suitable steel material can be stocked in continuous length in the form of a roll form which the desired length of the band for the particular application is then cut, for example, by means of simple cutting pliers.

The ends of the band 20 are tightened over the hose 10 by means of a closure mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 30 which consists of two parts, namely of the one closure part generally designated by reference numeral 30a (FIG. 4) and of the other closure part generally designated by reference numeral 30b (FIG. 5). These two parts are held together and tightened by means of a machine screw 31 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. Each of the parts 30a and 30b includes two sidewall portions 31a, 32a and 31b, 32b bent up at substantially right angles from the center bottom portion 33a and 33b. The bottom portions 33a and 33b may be slightly curved in the circumferential direction of the band in anticipation of the curvature of the object on which they are to be ultimately mounted but are substantially flat in a plane perpendicular thereto, i.e., in a plane parallel to and passing through the axis of the hose. The sidewall portions 31a and 32a as well as the sidewall portions 31b and 3212 are provided with aligned apertures 45 for receiving therein the pinlike end portions 35a and 35b (FIG. 3) of the circular spacer elements 34a and 34b, respectively, which are secured in the apertures 45 in any known conventional manner. The spacer element 34a is provided with a plain bore 36a transverse to its longitudinal direction while the spacer member 34b is provided with a similar but threaded bore 36b. The center bottom portion 33a is adjoined by a first tonguelike portion 380 .on one side and by a second circumferentially projecting portion 390, the latter being provided near its end with a slot 37 of such width that the band can be extended therethrough and folded back on itself during assembly as will be described more fully hereinafter. The tonguelike, first extension 380 is adapted to overlap a similar tonguelike first portion 38b provided at the other part 30b (FIG. 5). Opposite the tonguelike first extension 38b, the part 30b is provided with a second, circumferentially extending projecting portion 39b from which are punched out several hooks 40, two in the illustrated embodiment. The circumferentially extending tonguelike first portions 380 and 38b continue with the same curvature in the circumferential direction as the bottom portions 330 and 33b, and the second circumferentially extending portions 39a and 39b are similarly curved, as can be seen from the side view of FIG. 2.

OPERATION The assembly and operation of the compression band in accordance with the present invention is as follows:

At first, the end 200 of the band 20 is slipped through the slot 37 from above and then back upon itself as illustrated in FIG. 1. The closure mechanism 30 consisting of the two parts 30a and 30b as well as of screw 3] had been preassembled by sliding the tonguelike extension 38b over the tonguelike extension 38a and by inserting the machine screw 31 from the end containing the plain bore 36a, and thereafter threadably engaging the machine screw 31 in threaded bore 36b.

in order to permit the tonguelike extension 38b to fit between the two sidewall portions 31a and 32a of part 300, the sides 38' and 38" thereof have a slight taper as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Next, the end 20b of the bend is threaded through the openings formed by spacer 34b, sidewalls 31b and 32b and bottom portion 33b, on the one hand, and by spacer 34a, sidewalls 31a and 32a and bottom portion 33a, on the other. The band 20 is then tightened about the hose as tight as possible at which time the hooks 40 are permitted to engage into the nearest perforation apertures 21, the hooks 40 being punched out in such a way that they slant in the direction of the tightening movement of the band to facilitate the assembly. After the hooks 40 engage in corresponding perforation apertures 21, the screw 31 is tightened by means of a simple screw drive, until the screwhead 31' engages at the spacer 34a whereupon further tightening of the screw 31 will draw together the parts 300 and 30b and therewith will tighten the band about the hose 10 until a predetermined tightness is achieved.

To remove the compression band, it is only necessary to proceed in reverse by loosening screw 31 until the band 20 can be disengaged with its perforations apertures 21 from the hooks 40. Thus, one of the considerable advantages of the present invention resides in the fact that the band can be assembled and disassembled without the need of the total destruction of any part.

In some applications it may be desirable, if not necessary to provide a self-adjusting springiness or elasticity on the part of the band to compensate for rapidly fluctuating pressures, for aging of the hose material, etc. Since the closure mechanism of tee present invention is devoid of any inherent elasticity, this deficiency can be readily remedied by subdividing the band 20 into two or more sections and by connecting together the subdivided band sections in such a manner as to provide such elasticity. To this end, the band sections 20' and 20" (FIGS. 6 and 7) are modified by providing near the respective ends thereof apertures 21' of sufficient length in the circumferential direction to permit extension therethrough of the ear-shaped fold of the elastic coupling member generally designated by reference numeral 50. Since the perforations 21 are not inherently of the necessary dimensions to permit the passage therethrough of the fold 51, the size of the perforations can be readily increased by cutting out the web portion between two adjacent apertures near the end of each band section 20 and 20" whereby the resulting aperture has a circumferential length equal to twice the circumferential dimension of a perforation aperture 21 plus the circumferential dimension of a web portion, such increased aperture being normally sufficient to permit passage of the ear-shaped fold 51. The ear-shaped fold 51 which is, for example, of approximately omega shape, passes over into circumferentially extending flange portions 52 and 53 by way of transitional portions 54 having curvatures with a relatively small radius of curvature to minimize stresses To connect together two bands 20 and 20f, it is only necessary to align the apertures 21', to extend the fold 51 through the thus aligned apertures 21' from within until the flange portions 52 and 53 rests against the bottom surface of the band ends, whereupon, to hold the parts in the assembled conditions, a plug member 55 of complementary configuration to the shape of the fold 51 is extended through the latter. The plug 55 may be, for example, cut to suitable length from a circular rod made of any suitable material, for example, of plastic elastic material such as rubber, synthetic resinous material or the like, or of spring steel in which case the member 55 would be hollow with the walls thereof conforming to the configuration of the internal surfaces of the fold 51. In that case, the outer surfaces of the member could be provided with short, bent-out-portions extending in the longitudinal direction from both axial ends, formed for example, by beads or bent-up tongues cut in from both ends along the circumference thereof to prevent the member 55 from following out. Obviously, the nature of the plug member 55 contributes to the elasticity of the coupling member made from suitable steel spring material. If forces occur in the compression band seeking to expand the diameter thereof, the transverse edges 21 of apertures 21' will engage the neck formed by the curved transitons 54 and will seek to contract the lower ends of the fold 51 in opposition to the inherent spring force of the fold. Consequently, an elastic spring force opposes any changes in the diametric dimensions of the band, i.e., compensates for changes in forces seeking to enlarge the circumferential dimension of the band, the fold member 51 having been prestressed during the tightening of the band when the latter is tightened about the hose by the tightening of the screw 31.

Thus, the present invention provides a compression band which can be used for objects of any size and which can be readily adapted to provide a self-adjusting springiness. Additionally, the parts of the closure mechanism can be readily manufactured by relative few and inexpensive operations since they can be punched out from flat sheet metal plating, requiring only the sidewalls to be bent through an angle of The spacer elements 34a and 34b can be made from regular barstock, requiring only the boring and tapping of the bores and the provision of the small pinlike end portions for the insertion through the apertures in the sidewall portions, which can be readily made, for example, by cold deformation, machining, etc. The securing of the pinlike end portions in the apertures of the sidewalls also requires no complicated operations. Since all of these operations are simple and can be readily adapted for mass productions, the present invention provides a closure mechanism which is relatively simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. while I have shown and described only two embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to a person skilled in the art and 1 therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described hereinafter but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are within the scope of those skilled in the art.

lclaim:

l. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means including a bandreceiving aperture in a portion thereof extending generally in the circumferential direction of the band for securing thereto one end of said band by merely looping the band through the aperture in such a way that the free end of the band is disposed radially inwardly of the circumferentially extending part and the other of said parts being provided with second means in the form of at least one outwardly directed hook adapted to engage in a perforation of the band for holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object.

2. A compression band according to claim 1, wherein said continuously adjustable means is a machine screw threadably engaging one of said two parts.

3. A compression band according to claim 2, wherein said screw slidingly engages the other part.

4. A compression band according to claim 3, wherein said first means includes a slot for extending therethrough said one band end and for securing it by bending it back upon itself.

5. A compression band according to claim 4, wherein said second means includes hook means adapted to engage with perforation apertures in said band.

6. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means for securing thereto one end of said band and the other of said parts being provided with second means for holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object, said continuously adjustable means being a machine screw threadably engaging one of said two parts and slidingly engaging the other part, said first means including a slot for extending therethrough said one band end and for securing it by bending it back upon itself, and said second means including hook means adapted to engage with perforation apertures in said band, and each part including a bottom portion and two sidewall portions extending at approximately right angles to said bottom portion and spacer means connecting said sidewall portions.

7. A compression band according to claim 6, wherein said spacer means are provided with bore means for said continuously adjustable means, one of said bore means being a plain bore and the other of said bore means being a threaded bore.

8. A compression band according to claim 7, wherein each part is provided with a first, tonguelike portion adapted to overlap one another for the mutual guidance of the parts during tightening by said continuously adjustable means.

9. A compression band according to claim 8, wherein the first, tonguelike portion of one of said parts has edges of tapering configuration to pass between the sidewalls of the other part.

10. A compression band according to claim 9, wherein said band is subdivided into a plurality of sections, and elastic connecting means for connecting together said sections.

11. A compression band according to claim 10, wherein said elastic connecting means includes a member having a fold portion adapted to be extended through aligned apertures provided in the overlapping ends of the band sections, said fold portion passing over into circumferentially extending leg portions, and means extending through said fold portion for holding the same in the assembled condition.

12. A compression band according to claim 11, wherein said last-mentioned means is made from elastic material.

13. A compression band according to claim 12, wherein said fold portion passes over into the leg portions by way of curved transition portions having a relatively small radius curvature.

14. A compression band according to claim 1, wherein the band is provided with regularly spaced perforation over its entire length, said hook engaging into one of said perforations.

15. A compression band according to claim 14, characterized in that said hook projects generally in the radially outer direction from the other part with an inclination toward said one part.

16. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means for securing thereto one end of said band and the other of said parts being provided with second means for holding the other end of the band in predetennined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object, each part including a bottom portion and two sidewall portions extending at approximately right angle to said bottom portion, and spacer means connecting said sidewall portions.

17. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein said spacer means are provided with bore means for said continuously adjustable means, one of said bore means being a plain bore and the other of said bore means being a threaded bore.

18. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein each part is provided with a first, tonguelike portion adapted to overlap one another for the mutual guidance of the parts during tightening by said continuously adjustable means.

19. A compression band according to claim 18, wherein the first, tonguelike portion of one of said parts has edges of tapering configuration to pass between the sidewalls of the other part.

20. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means for securing thereto one end of said band and the other of said parts being provided with second meansfor holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object, said band being subdivided into a plurality of sections and elastic connecting means for connecting together said sections.

21. A compression band according to claim 20, wherein said elastic connecting means includes a member having a fold portion adapted to be extended through aligned apertures provided in the overlapping ends of the band sections, said fold portion passing over into circumferentially extending leg portions, and means extending through said fold portion for holding the same in the assembled condition.

22. A compression band according to claim 21, wherein said last-mentioned means is made from elastic material.

23. A compression band according to claim 21, wherein said fold portion passes over into the leg portions by way of curved transition portions having a relatively small radius curvature.

24. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein said band is subdivided into a plurality of sections, and elastic connecting means for connecting together said sections.

25. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein said first means includes a slot for extending therethrough said one band end and for securing it by bending it back upon itself.

26. A compression band according to claim 25, wherein said second means includes hook means adapted to engage with perforation apertures in said band. 

1. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means including a band-receiving aperture in a portion thereof extending generally in the circumferential direction of the band for securing thereto one end of said band by merely looping the band through the aperture in such a way that the free end of the band is disposed radially inwardly of the circumferentially extending part and the other of said parts being provided with second means in the form of at least one outwardly directed hook adapted to engage in a perforation of the band for holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object.
 2. A compression band according to claim 1, wherein said continuously adjustable means is a machine screw threadably engaging one of said two parts.
 3. A compression band according to claim 2, wherein said screw slidingly engages the other part.
 4. A compression band according to claim 3, wherein said first means includes a slot for extending therethrough said one band end and for securing it by bending it back upon itself.
 5. A compression band according to claim 4, wherein said second means includes hook means adapted to engage with perforation apertures in said band.
 6. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means for securing thereto one end of said band and the other of said parts being provided with second means for holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object, said continuously adjustable means being a machine screw threadably engaging one of said two parts and slidingly engaging the other part, said first means including a slot for extending therethrough said one band end and for securing it by bending it back upon itself, and said second means including hook means adapted to engage with perforation apertures in said band, and each part including a bottom portion and two sidewall portions extending at approximately right angles to said bottom portion and spacer means connecting said sidewall portions.
 7. A compression band according to claim 6, wherein said spacer meaNs are provided with bore means for said continuously adjustable means, one of said bore means being a plain bore and the other of said bore means being a threaded bore.
 8. A compression band according to claim 7, wherein each part is provided with a first, tonguelike portion adapted to overlap one another for the mutual guidance of the parts during tightening by said continuously adjustable means.
 9. A compression band according to claim 8, wherein the first, tonguelike portion of one of said parts has edges of tapering configuration to pass between the sidewalls of the other part.
 10. A compression band according to claim 9, wherein said band is subdivided into a plurality of sections, and elastic connecting means for connecting together said sections.
 11. A compression band according to claim 10, wherein said elastic connecting means includes a member having a fold portion adapted to be extended through aligned apertures provided in the overlapping ends of the band sections, said fold portion passing over into circumferentially extending leg portions, and means extending through said fold portion for holding the same in the assembled condition.
 12. A compression band according to claim 11, wherein said last-mentioned means is made from elastic material.
 13. A compression band according to claim 12, wherein said fold portion passes over into the leg portions by way of curved transition portions having a relatively small radius curvature.
 14. A compression band according to claim 1, wherein the band is provided with regularly spaced perforation over its entire length, said hook engaging into one of said perforations.
 15. A compression band according to claim 14, characterized in that said hook projects generally in the radially outer direction from the other part with an inclination toward said one part.
 16. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means for securing thereto one end of said band and the other of said parts being provided with second means for holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object, each part including a bottom portion and two sidewall portions extending at approximately right angle to said bottom portion, and spacer means connecting said sidewall portions.
 17. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein said spacer means are provided with bore means for said continuously adjustable means, one of said bore means being a plain bore and the other of said bore means being a threaded bore.
 18. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein each part is provided with a first, tonguelike portion adapted to overlap one another for the mutual guidance of the parts during tightening by said continuously adjustable means.
 19. A compression band according to claim 18, wherein the first, tonguelike portion of one of said parts has edges of tapering configuration to pass between the sidewalls of the other part.
 20. A compression band for tightening a hose or similar object over a nipple or the like and which utilizes a perforated band, characterized by closure means having two parts, one of said parts being provided with first means for securing thereto one end of said band and the other of said parts being provided with second means for holding the other end of the band in predetermined position, and means including continuously adjustable means operatively connecting said two parts to move said two parts toward one another in order to tighten the band about the object, said band being subdivided into a plurality of sections and elastic connecting means for connecting together said sections.
 21. A compression band according to claim 20, wherein said elasTic connecting means includes a member having a fold portion adapted to be extended through aligned apertures provided in the overlapping ends of the band sections, said fold portion passing over into circumferentially extending leg portions, and means extending through said fold portion for holding the same in the assembled condition.
 22. A compression band according to claim 21, wherein said last-mentioned means is made from elastic material.
 23. A compression band according to claim 21, wherein said fold portion passes over into the leg portions by way of curved transition portions having a relatively small radius curvature.
 24. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein said band is subdivided into a plurality of sections, and elastic connecting means for connecting together said sections.
 25. A compression band according to claim 16, wherein said first means includes a slot for extending therethrough said one band end and for securing it by bending it back upon itself.
 26. A compression band according to claim 25, wherein said second means includes hook means adapted to engage with perforation apertures in said band. 